Avalon Waterways has wrapped its first-ever travel advisor-only charter, welcoming 92 travel advisors from Australia and New Zealand on a dedicated training voyage along Europe’s Rhine River.
The full-ship charter, held aboard Avalon Envision, sailed the eight-day Romantic Rhine itinerary from Basel to Amsterdam between 24 and 31 March, marking a milestone initiative for the Globus family of brands (GFOB) in the region.
Immersive training and hands-on product experience
The charter was designed to provide advisors with an in-depth understanding of Avalon’s product offering, combining structured training sessions with first-hand onboard experience.
Participants attended four dedicated training sessions covering seven core topics, alongside interactive Q&A sessions led by Avalon Waterways President Pam Hoffee and senior GFOB leadership from Australasia and Asia Pacific.
Hoffee said the initiative aimed to give advisors a deeper appreciation of the brand beyond traditional sales tools.
Showcasing Avalon’s signature experiences
Travel advisors experienced Avalon’s range of shore excursions, choosing between Active, Discovery and Classic touring styles. Highlights included guided walks in Breisach, cycling through the Black Forest and a brewery tour in Heidelberg.
Onboard, the group also engaged in a social media competition designed to boost product awareness, with participants sharing content throughout the journey for a chance to win prizes.
Positive response shapes future trade initiatives
Globus family of brands’ Head of Commercial Australasia, Brett Simon, described the charter as a strong success, noting that advisor feedback will inform future trade engagement strategies.
The initiative forms part of a broader push by the brand to create more immersive and interactive learning opportunities for the travel trade, strengthening advisor confidence and product knowledge.
